How to send a package from Australia to Colombia: A complete guide

Sending packages from Australia to Colombia is one of the most common questions among those of us living far from home. While it is definitely possible, the process isn't always straightforward — there are taxes, customs regulations, and different carriers involved.

In this article I'll walk you through everything you need to know before sending a package, what your options are, and how the process works in practice, based on real experience.

1. What you need to know before sending a package to Colombia

Before sending anything, it's essential to understand Colombia's customs regulations — this will determine how much the recipient has to pay and whether the package is released without issues.

Taxes in Colombia

Customs in Colombia is regulated by the DIAN (Colombia's National Tax and Customs Authority). Every package entering the country goes through their review.

Important 2026 Update: The tax rules have changed. Until late 2025, packages with a declared value of USD $200 or less were exempt from VAT. From January 2026, under an emergency economic decree (Decreto Legislativo 1474 de 2025), that threshold dropped significantly to USD $50 for all postal and courier imports — not just purchases from platforms like Amazon or Shein, but also personal shipments sent through postal operators like Australia Post / 4-72.

Here's how the rules currently stand:

• Up to USD $50 → No VAT or duty

• Between USD $50 and USD $200 → 19% VAT on the declared value

• Over USD $200 → 10% duty + 19% VAT

2. What's worth sending (and what to avoid)

Good to send:

• Used clothing

• Shoes

• Personal items

• Gifts

Better to avoid:

• Food

• Medication

• Cosmetics (may require compliance with health regulations)

• Electronics, especially mobile phones

When it comes to phones and other electronics, the taxes and duties tend to be so high that the total cost can end up being equivalent to simply buying the same product in Colombia. Unless you've done the math and it still makes sense, it's generally not worth it.

3. Companies that ship from Australia to Colombia

There are several options for sending packages from Australia to Colombia. Here are the most common ones:

DHL

• Fast and reliable service

• Excellent real-time tracking

• Generally more expensive than other options

• Estimated delivery time: 3 to 7 business days

• Best for urgent shipments or high-value items

Bambooc

• Widely used within the Latin community in Australia

• More affordable than international couriers

• Longer delivery times

• Less tracking information available

• Estimated delivery time: Variable, can take several weeks

Australia Post → 4-72

When you send a package through Australia Post, it connects in Colombia with the official postal operator 4-72, which handles the final delivery.

• The most affordable option

• Estimated delivery time: 2 to 6 weeks depending on the service chosen

• The process in Colombia is managed directly by 4-72

• Ideal for non-urgent packages

4. How to declare the value correctly

Declaring your package's value is one of the most important steps — and where most mistakes happen.

What is the declared value? It's the amount in US dollars that the sender indicates on the shipping form as the value of the items inside the package. This is the figure the DIAN uses to calculate taxes.

What happens if you declare less than the real value? It might be tempting to declare a lower value to pay less tax, but it comes with real risks:

• The DIAN can reject or hold the package if the declared value doesn't match the contents

• It can result in fines and delays

• In the event of loss or damage, the shipment's insurance only covers the declared value — if you declared less, you'll receive less compensation

The recommendation is always to declare the real value. If the package contains used or gifted items, the value can reflect a reasonable second-hand price, but it should be honest and consistent with the contents.

5. My experience receiving packages in Colombia sent from Australia

I've had two packages sent to me from Australia while I was in Colombia during the Christmas period, and here's how the process went.

With the first package, the sender declared a value above USD $200, so a letter arrived with everything. The process worked like this:

A physical letter arrived at the delivery address in Colombia, in my name, stating that taxes were due on an international shipment. The letter included:

• The total amount to pay (19% VAT + 10% duty on the declared value)

• Instructions to make the payment online

• The steps to follow after payment

Once the payment was made, the process was:

1. Save the payment receipt

2. Send an email to 4-72

3. Attach: a copy of the payment receipt, a copy of the recipient's ID (cédula), and a copy of the letter received

Important: Even after sending all the documents correctly, the package wasn't released straight away. After submitting everything, I had to wait approximately 3 days for the shipment to continue its process and finally be delivered. This is completely normal, but worth keeping in mind if the package is urgent.

The items arrived intact. The packages weren't visibly opened, inspected, or damaged.

With the second package, the process was similar but with an added complication. It was sent from Australia on 14 November 2024, with the intention of arriving in December. Three months passed with no news. In February 2025 I went in person to the main 4-72 office at Hacienda Santa Bárbara in Bogotá, where the area manager drafted an internal email to investigate what had happened.

The result: the package had arrived in Colombia, but according to 4-72, a labelling issue meant they didn't know who to deliver it to. Once the situation was clarified, a payment letter arrived with the 19% tax and I essentially repeated the entire process from the beginning.

6. Tips for packing your package well

Good packing can make the difference between your package arriving in perfect condition or arriving damaged. Here are the most important tips:

Use a sturdy box. Avoid old or flimsy boxes. International packages pass through many hands and can take knocks along the way.

Protect the contents inside. Use bubble wrap, newspaper, or foam padding to wrap each item individually, especially fragile ones.

Distribute the weight evenly. Heavy items should go at the bottom and lighter ones on top. This prevents the contents from shifting and getting damaged.

Don't leave empty space inside the box. Movement during transport can damage items. Fill gaps with packing material.

Seal the box well. Use strong packing tape on all edges and seams. A poorly sealed box can open in transit.

Label the package clearly. Write the delivery address legibly and in a visible spot. Include the sender's name and address too.

Include a list of contents inside the box. This helps with the customs process and can speed up the release of the package in Colombia.

7. What to do if the package is delayed or lost

Delays in international shipments are more common than you'd like. Here's what you can do:

First, check the tracking number. All shipping companies give you a tracking number. Use it to verify what stage your package is at. If you're using Australia Post / 4-72, you can track it on both the Australia Post and 4-72 websites using the same number.

If the package is taking longer than expected:

• Contact the shipping company directly (DHL, Australia Post, Bambooc) with your tracking number

• For 4-72 in Colombia, their Bogotá line is (601) 472 2000 or the national freephone 01 8000 111 210

If the package is held at customs:

• This usually happens when there are unpaid taxes or missing documents

• 4-72 sends a letter to the recipient's address with payment instructions

• Follow the process described in Section 5 of this article

If the package is declared lost:

• Report the loss directly to the shipping company within the established timeframes

• Have your shipping receipt and declared value ready — insurance only covers up to that amount

• DHL has better compensation guarantees than the other options

General tip: Always keep your shipping receipt until you confirm the package has been received. Without that proof, it's very difficult to make any claim.

8. Final thoughts

Sending a package from Australia to Colombia is absolutely possible, but it's not automatic or tax-free.

With the 2026 changes, the VAT exemption now only applies to packages worth up to USD $50 so if you're sending something of higher value, factor in that there will be taxes to pay on the Colombian side. Knowing those rules in advance saves you and the recipient from unpleasant surprises.

Declaring the value correctly, packing well, and choosing the right shipping company for your timeline and budget makes all the difference. And if the package is delayed, patience and your tracking number are your best tools.

Being well informed before you send is the best way to avoid problems.